Jamie Donaldson insists there’s no reason why he can’t win the Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes this week – but he’s not even thinking about getting his hands on the Claret Jug just yet.

The Macclesfield-based star has enjoyed a dream month, in which he equalled the course record at Sunningdale to qualify for the Open and chalked up his first European Tour victory at the Irish Open.

And while the cameras at St Anne’s will be focused on the usual star names, few will arrive in Lancashire in better form than Donaldson.

He can also take heart from defending champion Darren Clarke, who slipped under the radar to win his first major at Royal St George’s last year.

Clarke was 125-1 to win the Open last year, exactly the same odds bookmakers are offering for Donaldson, who will play his first two rounds with Bill Haas and YE Yang, to do the same this year.

"It’s been a great few weeks, to qualify for the Open and then win in Ireland," said Donaldson.

"I’m looking forward to it. It’s a massive event. There’s no reason why I can’t win. But I’m not going to go there with too many expectations. I’ll concentrate on what I did right in Ireland and try to do the same things again."

Like Clarke, Donaldson’s career hasn’t been without its struggles.

He earned his European Tour card in 2002 but injury and a lack of form saw him return to the Challenge Tour in 2007.

The 36-year-old admits losing his card was the ‘kick up the backside he needed’.

And after recording his first win on the European Tour in 255 attempts at Portrush and becoming a father for the first time, life is good in the Donaldson household.

"When you lose your tour card, it’s for a reason – because you’re not playing well," said Donaldson.

"It gave me the kick up the backside I needed. There was no point keeping on doing the same things.

"It doesn’t matter what the textbooks say or what people are telling you do to, you’ve got to find what’s comfortable for you.

"I’ve got better every year since I lost my card and this year is going to be my most successful after winning in Ireland.

"Becoming a father has been great, too. I’m lucky to have my partner to look after him while I’m away.

"I don’t think it’s changed me but it’s perhaps changed the way I look at things."

Donaldson will tee off for his third appearance in a major tomorrow (Thursday) after missing the cut at the 2006 Open and the 2011 PGA Championship.

He’s a self-confessed fan of links golf and with plenty of experience at St Annes, and forecasters predicting wind and rain, Donaldson is looking forward to the challenge.

"It’s only my third major and I probably should have played in more of them," said Donaldson.

"It’s a great course but it will be set up much harder than it has been when I’ve played there in the past.

"It’ll be a great experience. You never stop learning when you play golf.

"I think links golf is the best. It’s awesome. It’s great but it can be very cruel at times. It just depends on what side of the hill I’m on."